Welcome to the Four Seasons Youth Orchestra. Our organization promotes music and the cultural arts to both the young musician and the community. We work in accordance with Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association SCSBOA guidelines, allowing members to bring their experience and knowledge to the music programs at the public schools they attend. The program is arranged in tiers, so that young musicians of all levels of expertise may participate and graduate to higher levels as they progress. Our music educators encourage musical skill as well as self-esteem through quality performance opportunities, both nationally and internationally. Some other opportunities for enrolled students include professional masterclasses; concerto competitions; summer pops orchestra and concerts; annual Viennese Ball; tuition scholarships; private lesson scholarships; and internships in stage management and music librarianship. Past tour destinations have been to various locations in Europe, China, Carnegie Hall in New York City, and most recently, Sydney Australia, where we won the silver medal
This year we offer four ensembles, rehearsing in Newport Beach and Aliso Viejo: one string ensemble for younger musicians: an intermediate orchestra; and two advanced orchestras. Our musicians range in age from 7 to 25, and reside in Orange County as well as in Los Angeles and Riverside Counties. Our unique Chamber Music program is open to any member, no matter what their level of musical expertise. It provides instruction in small-ensemble playing, with professional coaching and performance opportunities ranging from adult day centers to corporate events and our annual Viennese Ball. This is an optional program, and has additional fees.
Our mission to the Orange County community is fulfilled on several fronts. We offer easily-accessible, low-cost concerts for our members. Our music director, Dr. Roger Hickman, highlights each concert with colorful music history anecdotes, which educate as well as entertain, and is expert at evoking audience involvement. We offer a unique workshop and concert designed to help over 500 local Girl Scouts and Brownies fulfill their badge requirements. In the past, we sponsored the debut tour of the Guangzhou Classical Ballet of China, and performed with the ballet in the only Orange County performances of Nutcracker to feature a live orchestra. Annually, we take chamber groups out into the community with free concerts at the Orange County Fair, local bookstores and senior communities.
In 2008, we welcome Mr. Jason Grenier to our staff in the position of Associate Music Director. Jason has been a music educator for the past 12 years both in Massachusetts and in Orange County, in the public schools as well as a clinician and instrumental music teacher for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Pacific Symphony of Orange County. His orchestra management experience includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra, and Orchestra Manager for both the North-East (MA) District High School Festival Orchestra and the Irvine Unified Middle School Honors Orchestra. Jason recently completed a Masters in Educational Administration degree through Concordia University. He is currently the Performing Arts Department Chair and Music Teacher for South Lake Middle School in Irvine. We look forward to benefiting from his expertise and enthusiasm!
